Fireproof flooring.



Patented Nov. 13, I900.

J. WILKINSON; FIREPBOOF FLOORING.

(Application filed vDec. 28, 1897.\

(No Model.)

v w w \mvenxov UN TED STATES ATENT FFICE.

JOHN WILKINSON, or BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND.

'FlREPROOF FLOORING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 661,832, dated November 13, 1900.

Application filed December 23,1897. b'erial No. 663,215. (No model.)

Referring to the accompanying-drawings, Figures 1 and 2 are sectionstaken in planes at right angles to each other, showing aportion of fireproof flooring constructed according to this invention; and Fig. 3 represents in perspective partof two supporting metal bars with blocks of fireproof material, con stituting a portion of such flooringg Fig. 4;? is a perspective view of a portion of a fireproof flooring according to this invention,

the supportingsbars being shown arched and carried at the end by main supporting-girders. Fig. 5 shows in cross-section the finished flooring with ceiling below. i Fig. 6is alongitudinal section on linear: 00, Fig. 5, of a pore tion of the said flooring and ceiling, the concrete in front of the blocks 1 being omitted to show these blocks more clearly. I

In constructing fireproof flooring according to this invention I employ a series of blocks 1 of fireproof material, which are ar-. ranged parallel to one another and supported at their ends by metal'bars 2 and over which a mass of concreteS is laid to form aflooring of the desired thickness, the blocks being arranged at right angles to the bars 2. The blocks 1 are preferably made of the fireproof composition known in commerce as adamant, preferringthat manufactured by The Adamant Company, Limited, of Birmingham, England; but I do not limit myself to such adamant, as other kinds of adamant or fireproof cement may be used with nearly the same eifect. The said blocks may be strengthened longitudinally by means of wood, iron, or steel laths embedded in them, as is shown at 1, Fig. 2, and may advantageously be made of a section that decreases in width from bottom to t0pf or example, of the approximately triangular shape shownin Fig. 12; but they may be of the shape shown in Fig. 5, the top surface in each case being preferably curved or fiat. lower surface ofeach block is flat, and each end of each block at the lower side is formed with a flanged recess or rabbet 1 to receive the adjacent supporting-bar 2 or a flange 2 thereon, the depth of each recess or rabbet being usually such that the lower surface of the block will be ata lower level than the lower side of the bars 2, by which the block is carried.

The supporting-bars 2 may be of various sections. In Figs. 1, 2, and 3 they are shown as straight girders of I-section, the bottom flanges 2thereof entering the recesses 1 in theadjacent ends of the blocks and so supporting such ends. In Figs. 3, 4, and 5 the sup portin g-bars 2 are shown as fiat bars of light rectangular section, these bars being arched and having their endsbedded against and carried by the lower flanged ends of girders 4,

that are arranged at right angles to the bars 2 and may be supported in any desired or convenient manner. The girders 4 instead of being of I-section, as shown, may be of .L- section when girders of less strength are required. y

In. constructing my fireproof flooring the supporting-bars 2 are first'placed in position, after which the fireproof blocks 1 are arranged transversely to and upon the said bars 2 with their adjacent lower edges near together, Fig. 2, or practically in contact with eachother, Fig. 5. Ooncrete3 is then placed over the blocks 1 to a suitable height and so as to cover the girders 4 when these are employed, as in Figs. 4, 5, and 6, the upper surface of the concrete being leveled to serve as the finished fiooringor to support a wood or other floor. Thespaoes 5 between the recessed ends of the blocks 1 and their supporting-bars 2 and also the spaces 5, Fig. 2, between the long sides of the blocks when these are not placed close together are filled in with adamant or other suitable composition,which incloses the said bars and also forms a foundation for adamant or other suitable plastering material 6 applied to the lower surface of the flooring to.

form a ceiling for the room below. i This plas- The y ing the effects of fire.

other material-for example, wood.

tering material is also preferably arranged to cover the lower flanges of the girders 4, Figs. 4, 5, and 6, when these are employed.

Owing to the difference in density between the adamant blocks 1 and the concrete 3, fireproof flooriug made according to this invention is an imperfect conductor of sound, yet is practically solid; no air-spaces being left -in which dirt can accumulate-an important requirement in hospital construction or' through which heat can be conveyed to the supporting bars and girders, so that the con struction is specially advantageous for limit- Fur'therxnore, by the construction described a fireproof flooring of great strength can be obtained of much less Weight than that of afireproof flooring to serve the same requirement as ordinarily made.

Although I prefer to make the supportingbars of metal, they may in some cases be of name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses. v Y

JOHN WILKINSON.

Witnesses:

A. N. FORBES, WALTER E. KENDRIOK. 

